Happy Birthday, Karen Blixen

  Annamaria in Three Days Late

I apologize for going AWOL for a couple of weeks.  To be honest, I found myself with little time for writing anything at all, and I chose to devote what I had to finishing my work in progress, which was pouring into my head.  I am past 61K words now, and I see the ending coming, so though real life remains quite busy, I am happy to say that I am here with this tribute to Karen Blixe aka Isak Dinese. I first fell for her as a Lit major when I was assigned to read her short stories in Seven Gotic Tales published under her pen name.

Her name came up because I have an ancient copy of this handy way to keep track of friend and family birthdays.  I've had it since 1984, hence the clearly visible Scotch tape holding it together.

The entry at the top clued me in that it was time that I give Karen some attention.

Most American's know her as the person played by Meryl Street in the movie Out of Africa.  When her memoire of the same name first launched, it carried her pen name, already well known at the time. (Karen took the pen name, as many women did in the those days because books written by women were not considered important and mostly could't get published.)

Nowadays, if you search Seven Gothic Tales the answer you get may very well say "A book by Karen Blixen."  Only if the answer shows the book will it show the author as Isak Dinesen.  Either way, it is a masterpiece.

Eventually the area of Nairobi where she lived was named Karen in her honor.

Here below are some souvenir shots from my first time visit to Karen Blixen's house

"...at the foot of the gong hills."

Lucy, my guide, and a portrait of Karen

Karen's house, now a museum.

The Karen museum is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Kenya.  I'm not sure if it sells books, but I am certain that if you want fame, it helps if Meryl Streep pays you in a movie, especially of Robert Redford plays the love interest, and if the film is also a masterpiece.

Africa 2019: First days

Annamaria in Africa

It's been a whirlwind first three days since my friend Nicoletta and I left Rome to fly, via Addis Ababa, to Nairobi, which--on my third visit in five years--is beginning to feel familiar to me.  

You know you are not in Kansas anymore when you see sights like this on the way into town from the airport.

And goods like these in the outdoor market.

Saturday saw Nicoletta's first visit to the Karen Blixen Museum.  It was my third time but I saw little details that I hadn't noted before.  I know they will show up in future books.

 We've had great meals in the garden next to our hotel...

...And one with my dear friends from Samburu: Sarah and Michael--who brought us Maasai gifts and a banner showing their dedication to the cause Sarah champions among the girls of her tribe.

As I write this, we have just come back from spending the morning visiting an orphanage for elephants and rhinos left without mothers.  Sometimes due to poaching.  Sometimes because they were separated from the herd.  One baby elephant fell down a well at age three months and was rescued.

We spent the afternoon touring at the Nairobi National Museum, where I 

photographed, BADLY but legibly, the entire exhibition on the history of Kenya.

We have many adventures still to come.  Stay tuned.

Adventures in Africa 2018: Week One, Nairobi

Annamaria in Nairobi

My luck has held!  Here is the evidence.

Day one: Getting settled in my digs for this week

Perfect workspace for the historical novelist and her research materials

Day Two: A meet up with my friend Shel Arensen - Editor and Publisher of Old Africa Magazine and writer of the Lakewood Birding Club international birdwatching mystery series.  Shel helped me research the local history in the most delightful way.  In the 1914 Vera and Tolliver book that I am working on now, my characters are establishing themselves on a farm.  Shel arranged for us to visit a farm that was established during the same time period--Kiambethu Farm in Limuru.

Good Morning, Africa

Scenery on the way Kiambethu Tea Plantation

On the road: bodaboda men waiting for assignments.
They provide transport for people and packages.

The historic farm house in its gorgeous English garden

I arrived early, not knowing how long the drive would take, so I got to spend
quiet time absorbing the atmosphere of the house.

Including a plaque for the Kenya Police,
the descendant service of the Protectorate Police of my Justin Tolliver

And an album of family photographs, including baby pictures
of the current owner's mother and her sisters.  Now I know what
Will Tolliver and his infant sister wore.  You can bet that in a
future book they will be riding around in one of the these.

A bird feeder with long-tailed fiscals

Fields of tea are evergreen and gorgeous

And a splendid lunch on the front lawn

A stop on the way back to Nairobi at the colonial church

And a visit to the grave of the eminent archeologist and paleoanthropologist,
Louis Leakey

That evening, Shel launched his latest book at the historic Muthaiga Club.  The book will now be a part of my research library.

Day Three: The Karen Blixen Museum

I had been here three years ago, but a return visit was in order, especially since in my WIP, my characters are building their farm house.  So I took a special interest in:

Period farm equipment

What sort of floors Vera and Tolliver might install

A period bathroom

and a closet

And the kitchen stove

Day Four: My friend anti-poaching ranger and conservationist Michael Lenamaido drove seven hours to introduce me to his wife Sarah Lesiamito.  Sarah and her work deserve their own post soon in the future.  Suffice it to say for now, that she is a warrior for the rights of disabled children and against female circumcision--a theme in The Blasphemers--and forcing girls into early marriage.  

She is exactly the beautiful, strong woman she looks to be!

There is already more to tell.  Coincidences and surprises are saved for next week!